During an appearance in the last episode of “The Mistress Carrie Podcast”British guitar sensation Sophie Lloyd talked about how legendary Eddie Van Halen changed his rock guitars, moving from popularizing “finger tapping” to modifying his guitars. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “It was something that no one had ever really heard before. I guess when I was young, there were other artists doing a bit of what he was doing. Maybe I'm a little too – I was a little too young or born too late to enjoy experiencing the real thing, like when it came out. But even now, and this is a testament to how amazing he is, his technique is still so unique and no one can get it exactly. as he could, and I was getting the sensation exactly as he could. I think that's why it's a must-have. It has stood the test of time and still inspires new guitarists today. They still have a bit of that moment from before. Eddie and after Eddieeven though there are people doing similar things, he is still so unique in everyone's eyes. »
Concerning the origin, according to her, of a guitarist's sound, Sophie said: “That’s a good question. I think, for me, it doesn't even come so much from the guitar or the equipment. It comes from your hands and your fingers and how you do different things. My vibrato is completely different from BB RoiIt's vibrato or something. The style is so different and you develop your little nuances – you develop licks that you know by heart, so they always kind of show up in your playing one way or another. Everyone kind of develops these things that are so unique to them, and I think that's the sign of a really successful guitar player is when they can kind of pick up anything – literally, you could pick up a broken guitar on the street and start playing. and it looks like you. If Steve Vaï probably picked up any old guitar, if he picked up BB Roithe guitar, it could sound like Steve Vaïeven if it's on a [Gibson] 335 [guitar] or other. So I think that's really where it comes from, it's your own expression of how you decide to form the licks, your little micro-nuances that you have that make your playing really specific.
When asked who were the women she saw playing guitar and who taught her it was possible, Lloyd said: “I think the most important thing for me was Orianthi. It was just after the “That’s it” documentary with Michael Jackson. We went to the cinema and saw this, because my mother was a big Michael Jackson fan, so we went to the cinema and saw this. And it was kind of the first time I really saw a woman who looked a little bit like me, just letting loose, playing the craziest solos on such a huge stage with a massive artist and absolutely owning it. And she was almost the star of the show. And it was a really unique moment where it was so special to see. And then I got really interested in her and started listening to her music. And yeah, her career has been so inspiring, and the fact that she's still killing it, still playing live all the time, releasing amazing music. And she's just, yeah, an absolutely huge inspiration to me. »
Sophie released his first full album, “Imposter syndrome”in 2023. The LP saw Lloyd teaming up with some of the biggest names in rock and his own personal heroes to create a stunning collection of work spanning a variety of genres from the world of rock and metal. Released completely independently via his own Autumn Recordsthe album debuted at number 3 on the rock charts and number 11 on the indie charts, receiving rave reviews in the press.
Last October, Sophie played their first headlining show at a sold-out London Underworld. Sophie also announced a concert at Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood, California on January 16, 2025.
“Imposter syndrome” with blazing singles and guest collaborations like “Judge and Jury” (avec Tyler Connolly de THEORY OF A DEADMAN),“Fall of Man” (with Matt Heafy of TRIVIUM),“Do or die” (with Nathan James),” Lost “ (with Cole Rolland),“Run away” (with Michael Starr of STEEL PANTHER),“Hang on” (by Lauren Babic) “, “Imposter syndrome” (with Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM) and “Let it hurt” (with Chris Robertson of BLACK STONE CHERRY).
